64 POMPILUS SERICATUS. 



thorax angulated; the metathorax subelongate, with its apical 

 margin reflexed, and very delicately transversely striated; a 

 deep central depression at its base; wings with an irregular 

 fuscous nebulosity, the nervures piceous, those towards the 

 apex of the wings palest ; the anterior tarsi slightly spinose ; 

 the intermediate tibiae and the first joint of the tarsi, and also 

 the posterior tarsi, very spinose ; the posterior tibiae serrated. 

 Abdomen shining, with the two basal segments and the basal 

 margin of the third red ; the extreme base black ; the apical 

 segments pubescent. 



Male. Length 3J-5 \ lines. Differs in having only a few 

 dispersed spines on the posterior legs ; the anterior tibiae are 

 sometimes ferruginous in front ; the apical segment of the ab- 

 domen furcate, with a few curled hairs on each side ; and the 

 sixth ventral segment with two lateral incisions. 



This is not the Sphexfusca of Linnaeus, as is proved by an 

 examination of the typical specimen in the Linnsean Cabinet : it 

 is named in allusion to its habit of preferring the banks of hedge- 

 rows. This is perhaps the most variable in size of any of the 

 British species of the genus. The males are usually much smaller 

 than the females : it preys upon spiders, and is found in all parts 

 of the country. 



11. Pompilus (Priocnemis) sericatus. 



P. ater, argenteo-sericeus ; abdominis segmento secundo fascia 

 lata rufa. Mas. 



Pompilus sericatus, Shuck. Foss. Hym. p. 60. 11 $ . 

 Priocnemis sericatus, Dahlb. Hym. Europ. i. 111. 53. 



Male. Length 4i lines. Black ; the face densely covered with 

 silvery pubescence, which extends a short way towards the ver- 

 tex on the margin of the eyes ; the cheeks covered also with 

 silvery pubescence ; the labrum concealed. Thorax : the me- 

 tathorax obtuse, and having a central longitudinal impression ; 

 the collar, metathorax, the sides of the thorax, the mesothorax 

 beneath, the coxae and legs, densely covered with silvery down ; 

 the anterior tarsi simple ; the intermediate and posterior tibiae 

 with a double row of very slight spines. Abdomen : the apical 

 margin of the basal segment piceous, the base of the second of 

 a deep red; the venter, with the margin of the fourth segment, 

 slightly emarginate, and those of the fifth and sixth deeply so, 

 with a small fossulet on each side of the emargination of the 

 sixth ; the apical segment pointed. 



